Ways Your Dentist Can Help You With Tooth Loss

25 January 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Experiencing tooth loss can be devastating to your self-confidence. You may be losing teeth due to gum disease, age, or even an injury, and the spaces in your smile can leave you wondering if you will ever feel happy with your mouth again.You are not alone in your tooth loss experience, as many adults have the same condition for their own reasons, and tooth loss is nothing to be ashamed of and can be treated to a degree. Luckily there are ways you can your dentist can address your tooth loss together to help you create the best smile possible. Here are ways your dentist can help you with your tooth loss.

Addressing gum disease

The first thing your dentist may want to do if you have tooth loss is addressing any gum disease issues you may have. Gingivitis is a very common gum oral condition that causes your gums to become swollen and inflamed. As the condition worsens your gum line can recede, which exposes more of your tooth to decay and damage. If your tooth loss is most likely blamed on gum disease your dentist will want to address this problem first to give your existing teeth a healthier foundation to prevent more loss. Treatment will include a deep cleaning and possibly an antibiotic for major infection of the gums.

Tooth replacement options

If you only have a single missing tooth, your dentist may recommend forming a veneer to replace it and give you a more even smile. Multiple missing teeth may require partial dentures, which can be fitted custom to your mouth so your healthy teeth align properly with the ones you are having put in. If you don't have a large budget then a tooth can be fashioned from ceramic and placed on a spacer to 'connect' it to surrounding teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of. The tooth is removable, similar to a retainer.

Lifestyle changes

In many cases, tooth loss is directly related to lifestyle choices. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and drug use can contribute to unhealthy teeth. Your dentist can show you how to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush and recommend a flossing routine to help prevent future tooth loss. They can also talk to you about your eating and lifestyle choices and help you make decisions about your oral health to keep your smile strong. Be honest with your dentist about your oral hygiene so they can best recommend a treatment program.